Disney World in Florida will display more than 60 of George W. Bush’s paintings in an exhibit titled “Portraits of Courage: A Commander’s Tribute to America’s Warriors.”
According to Wednesday’s announcement from the theme park, the exhibit will be located in EPCOT’s American Adventure Pavilion.
The artwork features “service members and veterans who have served our nation with honor since 9/11, and whom the president has come to know personally since leaving office.”
Disney said in the announcement, “The exhibit grows out of President Bush’s personal commitment and the ongoing work of the Bush Institute’s Veterans and Military Families program. This extraordinary art exhibit brings together more than 60 vibrant oil paintings by President Bush of service members and veterans who have served in military uniform with honor since 9/11, and whom the President has come to know personally since leaving office.”
Each painting will be accompanied by a story about the veteran depicted, written by the former president.
“Celebrating those who give so much to our country has been part of the fabric of The Walt Disney Company throughout our 100-year history,” Josh D’Amaro, Chairman of Disney Experiences, said in the announcement. “We’re grateful to the Bush Institute for allowing us to feature this special collection and share it with our guests.”
The exhibit will be on display for a year beginning on June 9.
“We are thrilled Portraits of Courage will be on display for EPCOT visitors to experience this year,” said Ken Hersh, President and CEO of the George W. Bush Presidential Center, according to the press release. “My hope is that those who have the opportunity to see this special exhibit will also remember the leadership, service, and sacrifice behind each of the heroes painted and the unique challenges our servicemembers and their families face when transitioning out of the military.”
The exhibit will also feature information about resources for veterans and their families.
The announcement added, “We have much more in store over the coming weeks as we recognize National Military Appreciation Month. This includes Disney Consumer Products hosting a series of Disney VoluntEARS events alongside the Disney SALUTE veteran employee resource group in both Glendale, CA and Orlando, FL to assemble 4,000 USO care packages for deployed military service members. The USO Care Package Program is designed to provide service members with a connection to home while they are serving overseas in challenging conditions.”
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